Owen Quinn Discusses Life in the Air as a Skydiver and Aerial Stuntman Vietnam Veteran and Skydiving Instructor Regales Stories of His Past with Residents of McPeak’s Assisted Living

Monday, November 7, 2016

Owen Quinn, who has made more than 1,000 jumps in his lifetime, displays photos of his jump off the World Trade Center in 1975 while sharing his experiences as a skydiver and an aerial stuntman during a visit to McPeak’s Assisted Living on October 7.

[Patchogue, New York] — Residents at McPeak’s Assisted Living Facility received a
surprise visit on October 7 from aerial stuntman and skydiver Owen Quinn. During his
presentation, Mr. Quinn showed photos of some of his famous jumps and spoke about
his career as a skydiver and an aerial stuntman, including his famous jump off the
World Trade Center, as well as the skill and logistics associated with skydiving and
the latest advances in accessories and safety equipment.

Mr. Quinn’s interest in skydiving came while he was stationed in Vietnam through the
Merchant Marines. He saw the soldiers jumping out of helicopters and knew it was
something he wanted to do. So, when he returned stateside, he signed up for his
first skydiving class in Danville, New Jersey.

In 1965, while in his mid-thirties, Mr. Quinn made his first jump. He later went on
to record more than 1,000 jumps, which earned him the “Gold Wings” award from the
U.S. Parachute Association. In addition to his accomplishments, he was an aerial
stuntman, performing “wing walking” — walking across the wings of an airplane while
the plane was still in flight — at air shows. Though he made his final leap in 2008,
he has been a certified skydiving instructor for the past 35 years.

His most famous — or infamous — jump occurred in 1975, when he jumped off the World
Trade Center. With the assistance of his friend, actor Mike Sergio, he carried his
parachute up through the building, snuck his way up to the top floor, put it on and
jumped, while Mr. Sergio took the photograph just as Mr. Quinn made his leap. Mr.
Quinn was later arrested. His case was in courts for 12 months before it was
dismissed, on the simple basis that a case of this nature had never been tried
before. Coincidentally, Mr. Sergio was arrested in 1986 after parachuting into Shea
Stadium with a banner reading “Go Mets!” during Game 6 of the World Series between
the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox. Mr. Quinn showed McPeak’s residents the
photo of his jump off the World Trade Center and an article detailing Mr. Sergio’s
landing into Shea Stadium.

Mr. Quinn’s jump from the World Trade Center provided him with celebrity status,
with even law enforcement officials and well-known politicians asking for his
autograph, and was once a contestant on the game show To Tell The Truth.

After his presentation, he took questions from the residents and signed autographs
for the McPeak’s staff and residents.

For more information about McPeak’s Assisted Living, call (631) 475-0445 or visit
www.mcpeaks.com.

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*Photo is attached.

About McPeak’s Assisted Living
Founded in 1956 by James and Katherine McPeak, both Registered Nurses, McPeak’s is
an assisted living facility that provides outstanding service, at reasonable cost,
to adults and the elderly based on the philosophy that it is our community
responsibility to preserve the health, safety, comfort and general welfare of our
elderly and infirm residents. Residents live in a comfortable homelike setting in a
former mansion first built in 1924 that has been updated to include numerous safety
features and modern amenities. Smoke and fire protection systems and a new elevator
provide a safe alternative to living alone. A trained staff handles supervision for
24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Activities, specialized diets and medication
management are also provided.